Seasiders Support Driving Campaign

Blackpool Football Club has become the latest organisation to urge people to kick speeding into touch by backing the “Blackpool is 30 or less” scheme.

Players and staff from the club, including star midfielder Angel Martinez, goalkeeper Matt Gilks and new loan signing Matt Derbyshire, recently signed up to support the campaign.

Matt Gilks said: “We are delighted to support Blackpool Council’s ‘Blackpool is 30 or less campaign’. We recognise the safety of our fans travelling to matches and we want to set an example. We are keen to help support this campaign to save lives and prevent injuries on the roads.

“I hope our fans will take part and help to continue to bring down the number of road collisions in the town.”

The club follow Blackpool Police and the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service in showing their support for the campaign.

Other organisations are set to tackle speeding in the coming weeks including schools, colleges and business groups.

So far more than 3,600 people have signed up to show their support and more are set to follow. Cllr Fred Jackson, cabinet member for streets and transport, has already pledged to try to double the number of people who support the campaign this year.

He said: “It’s fantastic of the players and the staff at the club to support the campaign. Our football team is a great source of pride within the town for the way they play, their storied history and the impact they have in the community.

“I’m a big Blackpool FC fan myself so I’m delighted personally that they are supporting a campaign which I am leading. I hope the club’s support will inspire fans to take part.”

The 2013 Blackpool is 30 or less campaign was launched in January at an event which saw councillors sign up at the Town Hall.

In February, it has been backed by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Blackpool Police with Lancashire’s Chief Fire Officer, Chris Kenny and Blackpool’s top cop, Stuart Noble, pledging his support.

Blackpool Council’s Road Safety Team will be engaging with other groups throughout the year to spread the word about the pledge throughout the town.

For more information on the campaign and to sign the pledge visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/speedlimits